Sandbox Luxury Beach Front Apartments

The aircon was mouldy and stank, and there weren't proper blankets on the beds. The bed itself felt like sleeping on the floor, making this the worst sleep I've ever had. For somewhere advertised as “luxury,” it was really misleading. I've stayed in hundreds of hotels and motels in Australia and around the world, and this was by far the worst. I wouldn't stay again.

The unit we got looked nothing like the website photos, so the advertising felt misleading and we expected a much better standard. The cooking utensils were in a disgusting state and clearly hadn't been cleaned properly. The electric cooking appliances didn't work either, which made preparing meals very difficult. A really disappointing stay.

You're basically paying for how close it is to the beach. The rest of the place feels worn out, grotty and sad, so it definitely isn't luxurious. Don't use the lounge cushions, they're filthy.

The beachfront location is the main draw. The rooms are pretty average, and this is far from a luxury stay. The kitchen is extremely basic, with the oldest kettle I've seen in over 20 years, even compared with more budget accommodation. The bathroom wasn't great either; the photos I attached show the toilet button and sink. On two nights, cockroaches came from the bathroom. The manager didn't seem concerned, so I had to block the gap under the door with a towel. I also noticed part of a step was missing from one staircase leading to the apartments; I don't know if that's been fixed, and it could be dangerous. The apartments are under the flight path. It didn't bother me much, but it may not suit someone sensitive to noise. Book at your own risk.